The Brothers Karamazov

[humble soul]

Probably Dostoyevsky's most famous book. Although Crime and Punishment is up there too.
The book essentially is about Faith and Reason. Two of the brothers in the story have a big discussion/ debate about the existence of God. One an atheist, the other a Christian monk.
If ever you want to answer an atheist's question of the existence of God in a suffering world, this is the best book to read. The atheist has a convincing view but the counter argument for God is a clincher in my view.
Some say the 2 brothers represent two part of the author's personality.
Fyodor, the author was a Christian. He was a Christian in late 19th Century Russia, where many dangerous political views were growing. Such as communism and nihilism. He was a prophet, as it turned out, because Communism won in 1917. And Christianity was dying.

 

[humble soul]

Looks like this thread is a lounge thread killer. no other threads on the lounge for 24'hours

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I haven't read the book.
I'm of the opinion that faith in the existence of God does not come through observation and reason as much as it does through the conviction of sin. That's why I stopped engaging unbelievers that way. When I did a lot of witnessing I just got right to the sin issue. You can have calm and cordial discussions with unbelievers about the proofs of whether God really exists or not and get absolutely no where. They'll stay fat and happy right there in their comfort zone. But if you bring up the matter of sin and judgment you'll be getting right to the heart of the matter and what they need to hear in order for them to get a revelation of the existence of God.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Looks like this thread is a lounge thread killer. no other threads on the lounge for 24'hours

Holiday weekends do that for us Americans.

 

[humble soul]

They'll stay fat and happy

I'm fat but not always happy. My negative thoughts amuse me sometimes.

 

[for_his_glory]

I would have to say the best book to read is the Bible that has all the answers to anyone's question about the existence of God. It is our personal experiences that are out witness as we testify of God and His Son Christ Jesus. You want to know the answer, go to the source.

 

[Who Me]

As to what is best to read really depends where the person one is talking with is. Telling someone who is convinced the Bible is just fairy tales to read it is pointless.
A better tactic would be to talk about a biblical passage and to ask questions of the skeptic. Questions like what do you believe about this and what evidence do you have for that believe?

Christianity is based on historical facts that can be investigated and confirmed. No other believe is as historically reliable and checkable as Christianity.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

A better tactic would be to talk about a biblical passage and to ask questions of the skeptic. Questions like what do you believe about this and what evidence do you have for that believe?

I agree.
It's pretty much a waste of time to go hard core Bible on unbelievers. There is a time and place for that, but in general when witnessing you have to bring the Bible down to their 'speak' (as humble soul talks about in his thread). Which means talking in Biblical concepts and ideas rather than hard and fast scripture. The scripture comes later.......after you see they haven't sought to destroy you for offending them with the things of God.

 

[humble soul]

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28054/28054-h/28054-h.html#toc97

 

[humble soul]

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28054/28054-h/28054-h.html#toc97

 

[humble soul]

Wisdom From Father Zosima

Crime and Punishment is my favourite novel. And yet somehow I've managed to never read any of Dostoevsky's other novels. So, I've started

www.patheos.com

 

[humble soul]

 

[humble soul]

I'm starting to feel this book is hugely important. I would feel guilty if I treasured this book more than the Bible. Would God forgive me?
There are a lot of Bible references. But so has Moby Dick. mmmmm..

 

[humble soul]

How to refute an atheist?
Don't argue with them. Kiss them on the cheek after their long boring diatribes about suffering in the world.
Don't play their game. Because atheists love arguments and intellectual debate. That's their forte. Their weakness however is simple ability to love. They are dyslexic when it comes to love. They can't relate to people with kindness and support. They are love incompetent. They prefer conflict. Anything that reinforces their huge ego.
So Bible Christians if you smell an atheist, don't hit them with verse after verse.Thats what they want. They want your reaction.
Just smile and kiss them on the cheek. You will have them scratching their heads, fuming like 2 year Olds. "I want my fight!"